At a time when the off season belongs to 7-on-7 events and other skill position exposure camps, it was refreshing for the spotlight to shine on offensive and defensive linemen.
On Saturday, Boyd Anderson High School in Lauderdale Lakes, it was the “big men” who stole the show for the National 5 vs. 5 battle that brought gifted rising seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen together for nearly three hours to compete and see what they need to work on as we head toward spring.
From California, Georgia and throughout Florida, offensive and defensive linemen battled during 5-on-5 competition in sometimes heated confrontations.
When the event ended Giant Skills - Team California took home the title – and rising senior (2025) defensive lineman Mason Laano (Giant Skills - 6-0, 250 -3.2 GPA) from Las Alamitos was voted as MVP. He was impressive all day – winning more than his fair share of battles.
In addition to Laano, Giant Skills - Team California also included Class of 2025 prospects Alex Bleszynski (OC, 6-3, 290, Archbishop Middy – 3.4 GPA), Kameron Brown (Edge, 6-3, 235, Norco), Diego Chavez (OL, 6-5, 275, Santa Margarita – 4.0 GPA), Marshawn Dunning (DL, 6-2, 270, Norco), Sydney Dupoy (Cathedral Catholic), Solofa Lutu-Luapitofanuau (DE, Norco), Jireh Moe (DL, 6-2, 280, Orange Lutheran), Julius Patton (DL/OL, 6-4, 240, La Jolla Country Day – 3.83 GPA) and Santa Margarita’s Elijah Vaikona.
Class of 2026 performers included Maddux Sorensen (OL, 6-3, 270, Bellflower St. John Bosco), who was one of four underclassmen who made the trip east. The 2026 rising junior was joined by class of 2027 standouts Julian Bailey (OL/DL, 5-11, 300, Poway – 3.3 GPA), Caleb Joy (DT, Orange Lutheran) and Ontario Christian’s Kellan Kirkpatrick (6-2, 285).
TRENCH MOB TRAVELS WELL
While most of the team came from Georgia, Trench Mob also brought in California, Florida and North Carolina, and more than held their own.
Among the Class of 2025 talent on hand were Damola Ajidahun (OL/DL, 6-6, 290, Duluth, Georgia), Mi’kel Bellamy (DL, 6-2, 330, Huntersville North Mecklenburg), Canaan Edwards (Edge, 6-5, 230, Lawrenceville Archer, Georgia – 3.0 GPA), Cameron Foley (Edge/OL, 6-2, 245, Decatur Cedar Grove), Jake Jocks (OL/DL, 6-1, 300, Stuart Martin County, Florida), Sean Poret (OL/DL, 6-6, 280, Sandy Springs Riverwood, Georgia), Jamal Rowell (DL/OL, 6-1, 315, Hialeah American, Florida) and Chatsworth Sierra Canyon, California offensive lineman Ashdon Wnetrzak (6-9, 330,)
There are also 2026 standouts Omaria Baltazar (OL/DL, 6-2, 300, Lilburn Barkmar, Georgia), Wade Cobbs IV (OL, 6-6, 370, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, California), Ahmad Dortch (Edge, 6-4, 210, Snellville Shiloh, Georgia – Baseball Prospect) and Zayden Walters (OL/DL, 6-5, 330, Snellville Brookwood, Georgia – 3.0 GPA).
TEAM WEST BOCA
One of the fast-rising programs in south Florida was also on hand – competing as a time and not with prospects from across the region.
Head Coach Dylan Potts and the Bulls brought some quality talent and battled all day.
Among those on hand were Class of 2025 prospects including Luan Freitas (DT, 6-0, 220), Alex Overfelt (OG, 5-11, 215) and defensive end Trey Vestal (6-0, 195).
This program is all about underclassmen with 20 starters coming back for the 2024 season.
Class of 2026 standouts feature Dequan Bradley (OG, 6-1, 290), fast-rising standout Demetrius Geathers (Edge, 6-4, 215), Malique Joseph (OL) and impressive defensive tackle Xavier Reid (6-0, 265).
The Class of 2027 is also going to be special with Gerran Bray (OL, 6-2, 300 – 3.75 GPA), Gavin Cigale (OL, 5-10, 210), offensive lineman Rojhan Dorcin and linebacker Max Reid (5-10, 185).
EAT FACE MIAMI
Another group of local south Florida prospects who certainly made the most of the event, sending some young players into a talented mix of national prospects.
There are several prospects you will want to keep an eye on during the off-season – through spring and summer and see how they develop.
On Saturday there were a number of quality performers – which included Class of 2025 rising seniors Jamy Eme (OL/DL, 6-4, 265, Miami Killian – 2.8 GPA), Johannes Mager (DL, 6-4, 215, Homestead), Christopher Hughes (DT/RG, 6-0, 240, Miami Central), James Johnson (OL/DL, 6-2, 290, Homestead – 3.1 GPA), Bernard Oliva (OL/DL, 6-3, 230, Miami St. Brendan – 3.2 GPA), Luis Pruneda (OL, 6-3, 295, Miami Killian – 3.6 GPA), Jeremy Smith (OL/DL, 6-6, 255, Miami Central – 2.9 GPA), Shawn Smith (DL, 6-1, 228, Miami Norland – 3.0 GPA) and defensive lineman Olivier Zamor (5-11, 260, Pembroke Pines Charter).
There were also some impressive underclassmen such as 2026 rising juniors Anthony Brown (OL, 6-5, 315, Miami Palmetto – 3.7 GPA) and Sushanth Mortala (OL/DL, 6-3, 260, Weston Cypress Bay), and elite 2027 rising sophomores Logan Clason (OL, 6-5, 290, Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy – 3.2 GPA) and Ronald Riley (OL, 6-3, 282, Miami True North Classical Academy)
If you want to see some future stars you will need to keep an eye on versatile and athletic Steven Moore (OLB, 6-0, 215, Miami Central) and Antonio Wilcher (DL, 6-3, 255, Homestead)
STARS MENTOR PROGRAM
The other south Florida group that made a positive showing at the event, there were plenty of prospects in every class.
Several line performers on both sides made a huge impact.
Among the Class of 2025 players included Jaymin Blake (OL, 6-5, 330, Wellington Palm Beach Central), Tyrese Bryant (OL, 6-3, 300, Miami Central – 3.0 GPA), Michael Dean (OL, 6-5, 302, Wellington Palm Beach Central – 3.1 GPA), Adrian Farrow (DL, 6-4, 245, Miami Norland – 3.0 GPA), Romando Johnson (Edge, 6-3, 240, Coconut Creek Monarch), Donavan Randle (DL, 6-2, 215, Miami Central), Ethan Rowe (OL, 6-3, 300, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna) and offensive lineman Nasarius Ware (6-2, 304, Wellington Palm Beach Central).
Rising juniors (2026) such as DeCarlo Alvarez (OL, 6-2, 297, Wellington Palm Beach Central – 3.6 GPA), Mekhi Bradley (OL, 6-3, 250, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Elias Sturman (OC, 6-1, 310, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna) and two-year varsity starter Kerby Vital (OL, 6-2, 275, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna) were also singled out by many of the coaches on hand.
The future of linemen in south Florida is certainly in great hands with Class of 2027 rising sophomores Angel Irizarry (OL, 6-0, 265, Miami Palmetto), Jamir Johnson (DL, 6-1, 210, Delray Beach Atlantic) and versatile offensive lineman and defensive lineman Terrence Jones (6-2, 260, Miami Gulliver Prep – 3.5 GPA).
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For the past 54 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..